AN OXFORDSHIRE MP has welcomed news there will be an investigation into the health of a river.

Thames Water announced it has commissioned an indepedent investigation, to be completed by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), into the River Windrush.

Robert Courts, MP for Witney, said: “I warmly welcome the announcement of an independent investigation into the health of the River Windrush, something I have been campaigning for for some time.

“This thorough scientific study will enable us to establish whether there has been a decline in the health of the Windrush, if indeed there has been, to understand precisely what is causing it so that appropriate and effective action can be taken.”

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A longitudinal survey along the river and its major tributaries will be undertaken on four occasions, with at least two being completed before the next Water Day, organised by West Oxfordshire District Council, in October 2020.

The intention is to cover a range of conditions, including a period of low flow, during or immediately after heavy rain, and during a high turbidity episode.

Upon completion of the surveys, UKCEH will provide all the survey data and a report to Thames Water, which will be shared publicly.

Mr Courts has been calling on Thames Water to fund an investigation and recently met with the Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow, to press his case.

He is due to meet with Thames Water and the Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) campaign group later this month.